the Lord "sets his eyes for evil, and not for || Son the divine Redeemer, and we Gentiles are good," for all creatures are ready at his com- become his possession and are called by his mand to pursue and fight against his en- name: let us be thankful for our privileges, emies.-When professed Christians copy the and endeavor to walk worthy of them. Yet, crimes of infidels or idolaters, they become we still witness many breaches in the tabernastill more abominable in the sight of God: and cle of our King: many divisions, abuses, and no external advantages, or favors, can prove scandals yet deform the church; the power us the objects of his special covenanted love. of godliness is declined in many parts of it; While he watches over sinful kingdoms to de- other parts of it are harassed by oppressions stroy them; he will not fail to preserve his and persecutions; and a great part of manchurch. His servants may be scattered, per-kind yet continue strangers and enemies secuted, tempted, and harassed in a variety of to the gospel; we should therefore continue ways; but not one of them shall be lost: for in prayer for the complete performance of the least true believer shall infallibly be taken these predictions, in the more perfect peace, care of, through all the revolutions of nations, purity, and beauty of the church; in the inin the hour of death, and amidst the convul- crease of diligent, able, faithful, and successsions of expiring nature: but the tares will be ful ministers; in the ruin of all obstinate engathered from amidst the wheat, and cast into emies; and in the conversion of Jews, Genthe fire to be burned; and then hypocrites will tiles, and Mohammedans to the faith of Christ. know the truth of those threatenings, which |--But only in heaven shall we be so planted they here presumptuously despised.--Blessed and established, as to experience no more be God, we live in the days, when the king-changes, fears, temptations, sins, or sorrows: dom of David is set up, in the Person of his for there alone is fulness of joy for evermore. THE BOOK OF OBADIAH. It is probable, that Obadiah delivered this short prophecy, about the time when Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar.-Obadiah signifies the servant of the LORD, which was a common name in Israel: but the prophet Obadiah must be distinguished from all others that bore it. He seems to have been contemporary with Jeremiah, and uses several of the same expressions in prophesying against Edom as Jeremiah did: (Jer. 49:7-22.) and he concludes (as almost all the other prophets do,) with predicting victory and prosperity to Israel and to the church. B. C. 587. A prediction of the ruin of Edom for his pride, and his malice B. C. 587. against the descendants of his brother Jacob, 1-16. Promises among the heathen: thou art greatly de of glorious times, in the latter ages, 17-21. THE HE vision of Obadiah. Thus saith the Lord GOD a concerning Edom; We have heard a rumor from the LORD, • and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise ye, and let us rise up against her in battle. d 2 Behold, I have made thee small a Ps. 137:7. Is. 21:11. 34: 63:1 -6. Jer. 9:25,26. 25:17,21. 49.7-22. Lam. 4:21,22. Ez. 25:12-14. 35 3,&c. Joel 3:19. Am. 1:11,12. Mal. 1:3,4. Jer. 49:14,15. 51:46. Matt. 24:6. Mark 13:7. c Is. 18:2,3. 30:4. d Jer. 6:4,5. 50.9-15. 51:27,28. e Num. 24:18. 1 Sam. 2:7,8. NOTES. spised. 3 The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? 4 Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the f Prov. 16:18. 18:12. 29:23. Is. 7,8. g 2 Kings 14:7. marg. 2 Chr. 25:12. h Is. 47:7,8. Jer. 49:4. Rev. 18: k i Job 20:6,7. 39:27,28. Hab. 2:9. k Is. 14:12-15. Jer. 51:53. Am. 9:2. mies of the Jews, the Edomites; and ambassadors were sent among the nations, to excite each other to war against them; by which means the Lord would shortly make them small and greatly despised among their heathen neighbors. (Marg. Ref.-Notes, Jer. 49: V. 1, 2. Obadiah might be employed to deliver verbal messages to his people on other occasions; but this vision alone was preserved for the benefit of future generations.-The prophets had heard a report from the Lord, that run was preparing for the insulting ene-14,15. Lam. 4:21,22.) [779 stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD. 5 If thieves came to thee, if robbers by night, (TM how art thou cut off!) would they not have stolen till they had enough? " if the grape-gatherers came to thee, would they not leave some grapes? other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast ||lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them. 12 But thou shouldest not have * looked on the day of thy brother, in the day 6 How are the things of Esau search-that he became a stranger; neither shoulded out! how are his hidden things sought up! 7 All P the men of thy confederacy have brought thee even to the border: the men that were at peace with thee have deceived thee, and prevailed against thee; they that eat thy bread have laid a wound under thee: there is none understanding in him. 8 Shall I not in that day, saith the LORD, even destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mount of Esau? 9 And thy mighty men, O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that "every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter. [Practical Observations.] 10 For thy violence against thy brother Jacob, shame shall cover thee, * and thou shalt be cut off for ever. 11 In the day that thou stoodest on the r Job 5:12-14. Ps. 33.10. Is. 19:3,13,14. 29:14. 1 Cor. 3:19. 1 Jer. 49.9. Jer. m 2 Sam. 1:19. Is. 14:12. n Deut, 21.21. Is. 17:6. 24:13 * Or, gleanings. ols. 10.13.14. 45:3. Jer. 49:10. 50.37. Matt. 6:19,20. p Ps. 55:12,13. Jer, 4:30, 30:14. Heb. men of thy peace. Jer. q Is. 19:11,12. 27:11. Jer. 49.7. Or, of it. 20. est thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction: neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. 13 Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people m the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have b looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity; 14 Neither shouldest thou have stood in the cross-way, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress. 15 For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.' 16 For as ye have drunk upon my holy mountain, so shall all the heathen drink continually, yea, they shall drink, and b 2 Kings 24:10-16. 25:11. Jer. Or, kis substance. e Joel 3.3. Nah. 3:10. d Ps. 50:13. 137:7. Or, do not behold. e Ps. 22:17. 92:11. Mic. 4:11. f Job 31:29. Prov. 17:5. 24:17, h 2 Sam. 16:12. Ps. 22:17. Zech. 1:15. tt Or, forces. i Am. 16,9. ‡‡ Or, shut up. Ps. 31.8. k 12. Gen. 35.3. Is. 37.3. Jet. 1 Ps. 110:5,6. Jer. 9:25,2. n Ps. 75 8,9. Is. 49:25.26, 51: their borders as if to assist them, and induce them to go forth to meet them as friends, and thus deceive and prevail against them. The very troops, that took pay to defend them, would most fatally assault them; nor would they have understanding to see or avoid this danger, or to take warning from this prediction. Those that were maintained at thy cost, as thine allies, have given thee a_secret blow 'which thou wast not aware of. Lowth.-The Edomites seem to have been joined in alliance with the Chaldeans and tributary to them, when Jerusalem was taken: but within about five years after, they and their confederates invaded and desolated Edom. V. 3—6. (Notes, Jer. 49:9-11,16.) The Edomites inhabited a mountainous country, which they had strongly fortified: they had for some time been prospered, and they proudly confided in their strength and munitions, and concluded that no enemy could prevail against them. But the Lord was become their adversary; and even if they were like the eagle, which builds her nest at the top of the loftiest cedar; nay, if they could exalt themselves as much above their other enemies, as the stars are out of the reach of man; yet he would certainly bring them down, and their pride would only help to deceive and ruin them. With astonishment the prophet saw, as it were, the hostile invaders not only making depredations and slaughter, and then departing; but cutting off all their multitudes and ransacking their most secret treasures, till they had plundered the whole of them. (Marg, and Marg. Reftual Notes, Job 20:4-9. 39:26–30. Prov. 11:2. Is. 14:12-15. 16:6. Jer. 51:52,53. Am. 9:1-4. Rer. 18:4-8.) V. 10-14. The prophet shews, what the conduct of Edom towards his brother Jacob ought to have been; and thus, with peculiar energy, by the implied contrast with their ac conduct, in the several circumstances adduced, exposes the cruelty, violence, insolence, rapacity, and treachery, which he had commit ted in various ways, during the distresses of V. 7-9. These calamities would be brought the nation.(.Marg, and Marg. Ref.—Notes, Gen. upon Edom, by the defection and treachery of 27:39-42. Ps. 137:7-9, v. 7. Ež. 25:12—14.35 all their confederates; who would march to || Jod 3:3—8, v. 3. m. 1:9–11. Mal. 1:2--5.' they shall swallow down, and they shall be as though they had not been. a the mount of Esau; and they of the plain the Philistines: and they shall possess the fields of Ephraim, and the fields of Samaria: and Benjamin shall possess Gil 17 ¶ But P upon mount Zion shall be t deliverance, and there shall be holiness; and the house of Jacob shall ▾ possess their ead. possessions. 18 And the house of Jacob shall be a fire, and the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau "for stubble, and they shall kindle in them, and devour them; * and there shall not be any remaining of the house of Esau; for the LORD hath spoken it. 19 And they of Or, sup up. Is. 42:14. marg. Hab. 1:9. o Is. 8:9,10. 29:7,8. the south shall possess s Is. 10:17. 31:9. Mic. 5:8. t 2 Sam. 19:20. Ez. 37:16,19. u Ps. 83:6-15. Is. 5:24. 47:14. c b e 20 And the captivity of this host of the children of Israel shall possess that of the Canaanites, even unto d Zarephath; and the captivity of Jerusalem, which is in Sepharad, shall possess the cities of the south. 21 And saviors shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; " and the kingdom shall be the LORD'S. z Josh. 13:2,3. 15:33,45,46. Judg. 1:18,19. Is. 11:13,14. Or, shall possess that which is in Sepharad, they shall possess. e Jer. 13:19, 32:44. 33:13. a 2 Kings 17:24. Ezra 4:2,7-f Judg. 2:16. 3.9. 2 Kings 13:5. 10,17. Ps. 69:35. Jer. 31:4 6. Ez. 36:6-12,28. 37:21-25. b Josh. 13:15,31. 18:21-28. 1 c Jer. 3:18. 33:26. Ez. 34:12, d 1 Kings 17:3,10. Luke 4:26. Is. 19:20. Dan. 12:3. Joel 2: 32. Mic. 5:4-9. Zech. 9:11 -17. 10.5-12. 1 Tim. 4:16. Jam. 5:20. g Ps. 149:5-9. Dan. 7:27. Luke 22:30. 1 Cor. 6:2,3. Rev. 19. 11-13. 20:4. h Ps. 2:6-9. 22:28. 102:15. Is. 9:6,7. Dan. 2:35,44. 7:14,27. Zech. 14:9. Matt. 6:10,13. Luke 1:32,33. Rev. 11:15. 19:6. V. 15, 16. Israel and Judah had experienc- v. 14. Ez. 38:18-23. Joel 3:18-21, vv. 19,20. ed a day of the Lord's righteous judgment on Mic. 5:7-9. Zech. 12:6-8.) Thus one part of them for their sins, by the hands of the Assyri- Judah would possess mount Seir to the south; ans, and Chaldeans, and their allies; while the and another, the land of the Philistines towards Gentiles seemed to escape with impunity, and the west; and others would recover possession to prosper in their wickedness: but the day of of mount Ephraim and Samaria, though at the Lord was at hand, in which he would that time possessed by strangers. Benjamin judge all those nations, that had injured his would inherit Gilead, beyond Jordan, which people, and retaliate their oppressions upon the Ammonites had seized on: and the residue them. The Jews had drunk the cup of God's of the ten tribes would gain possession of all indignation, even on mount Zion; and the the country, formerly inhabited by the Canaanheathen should drink, continually and abun- ites, even to Zarephah, or Sarepta, which bordantly, of the same cup, until they were utterly dered on Zidon. It is not agreed, what is destroyed. The ruin of the several nations, meant by Sepharad: but some think, that it which bordered on Israel and had fought was the name of a city in Edom, which the against him, was predicted; but they were remnant of those, who were led captive from types of the enemies of the Christian church, Jerusalem, would possess with the cities of the who will be utterly destroyed in due season. south. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. y-e.-Notes, (Notes, Is. 34: 63:1-6.) The prophet speaks Zeph. 2:4-7.) For "saviors," or deliverers, of the Jews here, as already under a state of would be raised up on mount Zion, to judge 'captivity; as they actually were before this and execute vengeance on the Edomites; and prophecy was fulfilled.' Lowth. (Marg. Ref-the kingdom, or dominion, would actually be Notes, Ps. 76:10. Is. 49:24-26. 51:17-23. Jer.possessed and exercised by JEHOVAH, for the 25:13-28. 49:12. Lam. 4:21,22. 1 Pet. 4:17— benefit of his worshippers. (Marg. Ref. f. h.) 19.) --Many parts of this prophecy were accomV. 17-21. When this prophecy was deliv-plished, when the Jews returned to their own ered, mount Zion either lay desolate, or was about immediately to be desolated, while the enemies of the Jews had dominion over them. -"But upon mount Zion shall be those that escape," (or an escaping;) "and it shall be holy." Bp. Newcombe. Thus it was foretold, that there would be "deliverance and holiness" at Jerusalem, and that the house of Jacob would again occupy their ancient possessions. (Marg. and Marg. Ref. p-r.-Notes, Is. 2:2-5. 4:3,4. Joel 2:28-32, v. 32. 3:9—17, vv. 16,17.) Then Israel and Judah would become as a flame, to consume the Edomites as stubble, till they were utterly destroyed: and the remnant of the people, who were at that time captives, would not only possess the land of Canaan, but the adjoining districts; which they would take out of the hands of those who now oppressed them. The remaining tribes would possess the country, which had belonged to those who continued in their dispersions, to the utmost borders of the promised land, and even beyond them. (Marg. Ref. s-x.-Notes, Is. 11:11-16, land by Cyrus's decree; when the temple was rebuilt, and the worship of God restored; when Jerusalem was re-established in prosperity, and the land replenished with inhabitants; when the Jews, under the Maccabees and other leaders, entirely subjugated the Edomites, and incorporated the remnant of them among themselves as proselytes; and in their subsequent prosperity, till the days of Christ.-No mention is made of the Philistines in the New Testament. They seem, before that time, to have been extirpated from the land.-But the salvation and holiness of the gospel, its success and spread, by the faithful preaching of the word, and the conversion of the Gentiles, were also intended; especially the future restoration of Israel, the destruction of antichristian opposers, and that prosperous state of the church, to which all the prophets evidently bear witness. Then, and not till then, in the full sense of the words, shall "the kingdom be the LORD's." (Notes, Dan. 2:34,35,44,45. 7:13,14, 19-27. Matt. 6:10. Rev. 11:15-18.) PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS. V. 1-9. oppressed and afflicted, to sympathize with them, and to soothe or relieve their sorrows; The Lord exalts or abases individuals or col- we had better keep at a distance, lest we should lective bodies, and renders nations honorable increase their distress, or appear to take pleasor contemptible, "according to the counsel of ure in their misery. How base then must they his own will;" but always in perfect wisdom, jus- be, who seize on such opportunities to lay tice, truth, and goodness.-Self-confidence, re- hands on the property of their neighbors, or to liance on external advantages, ambitious pro-wreak their revenge or satiate their cruelty, jects, and carnal security, uniformly lead to by giving assistance to the principal actors in calamity and contempt; and thus the pride of these bloody tragedies!-But let both the sormen's hearts deceive them. No exaltation or rowful believer and the insolent oppressor power can secure those, whom God is con- know, that “the day of the LORD is near upon cerned in honor to bring down.-Renowned all the heathen:" that the injuries, which the warriors are generally the most rapacious and persecuted have endured, will be recompensed insatiable of all thieves and robbers; the pros-upon their persecutors, who will drink of that perity of others only excites and sharpens their appetite for plunder; and thus riches conduce to the ruin of their possessors.-They, who rely on plausible and mercenary helpers, are deficient in understanding: for there is so much treachery in man, that such confederates commonly give the most fatal wounds. They only are happy who trust in the Lord: for in the day of his displeasure, be destroys the wis-every evil; there holiness is communicated and dom of the prudent, and mars the courage of the mighty, that all his enemies may receive deserved punishment; and his friends may be rescued from oppression, and rejoice with thankful praises in his salvation. V. 10-21. cup, which they have been employed as willing instruments in putting into the hands of others; and that the troubles of the righteous will soon be over, but those of the wicked will be eternal and complete. (Note, 2 Thes. 1:5– 10.) Happy then is the inhabitant of Zion, even in the most afflicted times! there alone is deliverance from the wrath to come and from resides: and while the Lord purifies his redeemed "from all their iniquities, to be unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works;" he both marks them out as his own, and prepares them to possess their purchased inheritance. His people will also be victorious, God will surely confound those who oppress and as a flame to consume their enemies: and their brethren, of the same nature with them-they shall "inherit all things," whilst others selves; and those especially who hate such as shall lose even what they seemed to have.the Lord loves, and afflict them because they Blessed be God, for the divine Savior and Judge belong to him. They, who rejoice in the ca- on mount Zion, and for those, whom he sends lamities which others inflict, will be numbered forth as his ministers to bring sinners to paramong the oppressors: and all that would es- take of his salvation! May all employed in this cape their doom, must take care not to sanc- work be faithful and successful! so that their tion their cruelties by their presence, or appro-word may be “a savor of life unto life” to large bation in any way. It is criminal to behold, numbers, and a "savor of death unto death" to with the least degree of satisfaction, or even all that reject it, as judging and condemning without deep concern and compassion, the dis-obstinate unbelievers; and in both respects "å tresses of our neighbors; and far more heinous- sweet savor" to the Lord, whose is "the kingly wicked to insult over them under their ca- dom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, lamities. If we cannot enter the doors of the Amen." (Notes Matt. 6:13. 2 Cor. 2:14—17.) THE BOOK OF JONAH. JONAH was no doubt more ancient than any of those prophets, whose writings are preserved in this part of the sacred sc ipture.-He predicted the successes of Jeroboam, the son of Joash; (2 Kings 14:25.) and it is probable that the prophecy was delivered a considerable time before its accomplishmen.. Some think, that Jonah executed his prophetical office, as early as the latter part of Jeh's reign: but it is not agreed, whether the events recorded in this book, occurred at his entrance on that office, or at a later period.-Nothing more is known of him, except that he was of Gath-hepher, a town in the tribe of Zebuluu: (Josh. 19:13. Gittah-hepher;) which was situated in Galilee: (John 7:52.) and the traditions extant concerning him, are unworthy of the least notice.-The book before us is rather a narrative, than a prophecy. Several of the events recorded in it are of a very extraordinary nature; which has induced some to explain it as an allegory, and emboldened others profanely to ridicule it. But it should be remembered, that our Lord himself has repeatedly attested the truth of the narrative; and shewn, that the most wonderful event in it was intended as a type or emblem of his own death, burial, and resurrection on the third day. (Matt. 12:4042. 16:4. Luke 11:32.) The knowledge of "the power of God," as recorded in the scriptures. 782] and as displayed in his works of creation and providence, will fully satisfy the humble mind respecting the miracles here recorded: and a deep knowledge of our own hearts will greatly abate our astonishment at the extraordinary conduct of the prophet himself. The fame of 'Jonah's deliverance appears to have spread among the heathen nations: and the Greeks, 'who were accustomed to adorn the memory of their heroes, by every remarkable event and 'embellishment which they could appropriate, afterwards added to the fictitious adventures of Hercules, that of having continued three days without injury in the belly of a dog, sent 'against him by Neptune. The fable of Arion and the Dolphin, of which the date is fixed at 'a time nearly coeval with the period of Jonah, is possibly a misrepresentation of particulars 'recorded in this sacred book.' Gray's Key. Jouah lived almost as early as the most ancient Greek poets. His impartiality in recording his own sins is worthy of being noted: for this conduct is peculiar to the sacred writers. ing, TOW the word of the LORD came 2 Arise, go to b Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me. B. C. 840. going to Tarshish: so he paid the fare thereof, and went down into it, to go with them unto Tarshish from the presence of the LORD. 4 But the LORD * sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. 5 Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the 3 But Jonah rose up to flee unto Tar-sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was shish from the presence of the LORD, and f went down to Joppa; and he found a ship a 2 Kings 14:25. Matt. 12:39. 16:4. Luke 11:29,30,32. Jonas. Gen. 10:11,12. b 3:2,3. 4:11. 2 Kings 19:36. Nah. 1:1. 2: 3: Zeph. 2:13-15. c 3:2,4. Is. 58:1. Jer. 1:7-10. Ez. 2:7,8. 3.5-9. Matt. 10:13. Mic. 3.9. d Gen. 18:20,21. Ezra 9:6. Jam e 5:4. Rev. 18:5. e 4:2. Ex. 4:13,14. 1 Kings f Gen. 3:8. 4:16. Job 1:12. 2:7. NOTES. 2 Chr. 2:16. gone m down into the sides of the ship, and he lay, " and was fast asleep. h Is. 2:16, 23:1,6,10. 60:9. Ez. k 6,14,16. 1 Kings 18:26. Is. 27:12. i Ex. 10:13,19. 14:21. 15:10. Ps. 107:24-31. 135:7. Am. 4:13. Matt. 8:24 44:17-20. 45:20. Hos. 7:14. Jer. 2:28. wonder, that he was extremely reluctant to undertake the service. Strong faith, and a CHAP. I. V. 1. Some think, that Jonah habit of unreserved obedience, were necessary had before this, for some time exercised his to overcome the reluctance, which Jonah prophetical office in Israel; others, that he must have felt: and perhaps he was a young was at this time first called to it. But nothing||man, and not as yet inured to perilous embeyond conjecture can be adduced on the sub-ployments.--He seems to have supposed that ject. (Marg. Ref.) the Spirit of prophecy would not rest on him, V. 2, 3. Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian if he left the land of Israel to go some other empire, was one of the largest cities of which way than to Nineveh; he desired to be freed we read; being sixty miles in circumference, from those prophetical impulses, with which if historians may be credited. (Marg. Ref. b.- he had not courage and faith to comply; and Note, 3:1-4. 4:9-11. Preface to Nahum.) Oth- he therefore purposed "to flee unto Tarshish er prophets foretold the destruction of heathen from the presence of the LORD." (Marg. Ref. cities for their crimes: but Jonah was ordered c, f.--Notes, Gen. 3:8. Ps. 139:1-12.) Accordto go to Nineveh, that he might, on the spot, ingly he went to Joppa, a sea-port town comdenounce the judgments of God against it.— puted to be about forty miles from Gath-hephSome think, that he declined this service, be-er, and in the opposite direction from Nineveh. cause he was jealous for the honor of Israel, and was not willing that the Gentiles should partake of the benefits of prophecy; and indeed he afterwards intimates his fear, that God would mercifully spare Nineveh, and that he should be despised and punished as a false prophet. (Note, 4:1-4.) But, when we consider the perils and hardships, to which this Tarshish. (3) Marg. Ref. h.-Notes, 1 Kings journey and message were likely to expose 10:22. Is. 2:10-18, v. 16.-'Bochart says, that him; when we imagine to ourselves the proba-'there were two places of this name; one, Tarble reception of a despised prophet of Israel in this proud idolatrous city, come avowedly to predict its speedy destruction; and that this night draw upon him the resentment both of the rulers and the multitude: when we reflect how such a message would be received in the streets of London at this day; we shall not (Marg. Ref. g.) There he met with a vessel about to sail to Tarshish, and, paying the fare, went aboard; as if he thought that now he should be removed to a distance from the immediate presence of God, and as not expecting to be pursued by a more imminent danger, than any of those from which he fled. 'tessus in Spain. ... near the pillars of Hercules; |
